Apparatus for producing homogeneous ductile bodies from metals of a highly-refractory nature.



W. VON BOLTON. APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING HOMOGENEOUS DUQTILE BODIES PROM METALS UP A HIGHLY REFRAGTORY NATURE.

APPLIOATION FILED SEPT, 29, 1905.

Patented June 22, 1909.

W INVENTOR WITNESSES 45 5 u/d UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIOE.

WERNER VON BOLTON, O1 OHARLOTTENBURG, GERMAN Y, A SSIGNOR TO SllfiMlQNS dz. HALSKE, AKTIENGESELLSOHAFT, OF BERLIN GERMAN Y, A CORPORATION.

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING HOMOGENEOUS DUC'IILE BODIES FROM METALS OF A HIGHLY-REFRACTORY NATURE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 22, 1909.

Application filed September 29, 1906. Serial No. 280,640.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WERNER voN BOLTON, a subject of the German Emperor, residing at Charlottenburg, near Berlin, Germany, have made a new and useful Invention in Apparatus for Producing Homogeneous Ductile Bodies from Metals of a Highly- Refractory Nature, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is directed particularly to novel means or apparatus for producing pure homogeneous ductile metals out of the powder of such metals as are highly refractory and have a high fusing point, such, for instance, as tantalum, niobium, Wolfram, zirconium, or the alloys of these metals with each other.

In a prior patent granted to me on the 24th day of November, 1908, numbered 904:,831, I have described a novel process of manufacturing homogeneous ductile metals out of the powder of such metals as tantalum, niobium, Wolfram, zirconium, etc., which process embraces the application of the principle of first compressing in compact form electrodes from powder of the metal to be treated into a coherent or solid mass and then passing a current of electricity through the same while it is surrounded or inclosed in a vacuum or relatively rare atmosphere. The present invention is directed to a preferred form of apparatus for practicing this method and will be understood by referring to the accompanying drawing which is a sectional view taken through the apparatus, illustrating two of the electrodes connected to conductors running to a source of electricity, not shown.

Referring to the drawing in detail a represents a hermetically closed vessel, preferably of glass and Z) a tube which leads to an air-pump, not shown. 0 and d are coneshaped tubular stoppers for guiding the electrode rod through which the current for fusing the metal is conducted into the interior of the vessel. The lower electrode is preferably a plate at the top ofthe rod 0, said plate being of highly refractory material. The compressed powder of the metal to be treated is placed upon this plate. The upper electrode rod is connected by a conducting sleeve with a rod f of very refractory material which serves as a negative electrode. 'The tubular stopper for the upper electrode rod is introduced into the vessel in such manner as to hermetically seal it, and is so constructed that the electrode supporting rod can be moved back and forth tlierethrough. This can be effected, for instance, by means of a rubber or other well known type of packing. For the purpose of moving it a handle g is provided on the outside. When the air has been exhausted through the pipe I), the electrodes are approached toward each other by means of the handle g. WVhen the electrode comes into contact with the powder on the plate at the top of the rod 6 the electric current passes through the latter, whereupon the electrode 7 is removed from the metal powder so that an arc is formed. The metal will then gradually melt into a homogeneous body in the manner disclosed in the before-mention ed application.

The vessel is preferably made of glass so that the workman may watch the process from the outside, although it may be made of any type of metal, or of pottery, if preferred, and well known types of peep holes provided.

I do not limit my claims to the specific structural devices shown in the accompanying drawing and hereinbefore described, as I believe it is generically new with me to provide means whereby refractory metals of the nature of those hereinbefore disclosed may be rendered homogeneous and ductile through the agency of an electric current passing therethrough and when inclosed in an exhausted air chamber, no matter what may be the structural arrangement thereof.

Having thus described my invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. Means for fusing highly refractory metal, consisting of an exhausted air chamber and a pair of electrodes of highly refractory conducting material located therein, one of said electrodes being provided with means for supporting a powder of the metal to be acted upon and the other with means for adjusting it relatively to the first-mentioned electrode, substantially as described.

2. Means for fusing highly refractory metals embodying an exhausted chamber constructed of transparent material, as glass, and highly refractory electrodes located therein; together with means for supporting or connecting in circuit a powder of the metal to be fused, substantially as described.

.3. Means for fusing highly refractory metals embodying an exhausted air chamber, two electrode rods adjustably secured therein and provided with means for connecting them respectively to the opposite poles of an electrical generator; an electrode plate of highly refractory material for supporting the metal to be treated, said electrode plate being sustained at the upper end of the lower electrode rod; an electrode of highly refractory material :detachably secured to the lower end of the upper electrode rod, the latter rod being provided with means for adjustably moving said electrode to and from the electrode plate, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses WERNER VON BOLTON.

Witnesses:

HENRY HAsPER, WOLDEMAR HAUPT. 

